- In November 2019, of approximately 55,000 taxpayers required to declare their bank accounts, about 52,000 did so through e-Filing and about 3,000 through the “My Affairs” module. or by letter to the Regional Tax Directorates.
- The Tax Administration ensured that both methods of filing—electronic and paper—were recognized as equally valid, and that no penalties would be imposed without first verifying every lawful filing method.
- This precedent remains useful today as a principle: when a taxpayer has complied with the obligation but in a non-standard form, the administration verifies it before imposing penalties.
- Technical details (the exact module names, the accepted channels) may have changed since 2019, so for the current specific steps you should check the e-Filing portal today.
On November 8, 2019, the General Directorate of Taxes announced the completion of the first cycle of the obligation to open and declare business bank accounts. Of approximately 55,000 taxpayers required to comply, about 52,000 had filed through the e-Filing electronic portal, while about 3,000 had done so via the “My Affairs” module. or by submitting the data in writing, in person, at the Regional Tax Directorates.
From our daily work, we see that businesses often become concerned when they realize they have fulfilled a reporting obligation in a way somewhat different from what was expected, automatically thinking they are at risk of penalties. The 2019 case shows that the tax administration has previously recognized the opposite principle: verifying the very act of filing comes before any penalty.
Read also: Business bank account, how to declare in e-Filing and the Who is exempt from this obligation today?.
How the first declaration cycle ended, in figures
Two roads equally known to the administration
The obligation applied to registered VAT-paying natural persons engaged in trade, legal entities regardless of turnover, and nonprofit organizations. The overwhelming majority filed electronically, but the administration equally accepted as valid filings on paper or through the alternative module, without treating these taxpayers as being in violation.
Provided sanctions and prior verification
Law No. 31/2019, which added provisions to Law No. 9920/2008 “On Tax Procedures,” provided for penalties for failure to fulfill the obligation. However, the administration clarified that, before imposing any penalty, it would verify whether the taxpayer had fulfilled the obligation through any of the lawful channels, not only via the main electronic channel.
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The principle remains, even though the technical details change.
The specific name of the “My Issues” module or the exact method of submitting by letter may have changed since 2019, but the principle illustrated by this case remains valid: if you have complied with a tax obligation but through a non-standard channel, it's worth clearly documenting and communicating it, rather than automatically assuming a penalty.
How we handle this with our clients
When a client files a tax return through a channel other than the standard one, we always retain documentation proving the date and method of filing so that, in the event of an inquiry from the tax authority, our response is immediate and supported by evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Does the “My Issues” module still exist?
We can't confirm it without checking the current e-Filing interface. Module names change over time, so for the exact channels accepted today, please check the current portal.
What happens if I declared an obligation in writing today, not electronically?
Keep the delivery proof and consult with your administration or your economist so that your declaration is recognized as valid, even if the primary channel expected today is electronic.
Where can I find the current rules for the business bank account?
In our guides linked above, on e-Filing declarations and on current exemptions from the obligation.
